AGBESE CLARIFIES SIGNATURE CONTROVERSY, SAYS CCTV FOOTAGE MISREPRESENTED

By Peter Dansu 

Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Hon. Chief Dr. Bishop Philip Agbese, has provided further clarification regarding the controversy surrounding a document allegedly linked to the purported move to elevate Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere to a minority leadership position in the House.

The clarification comes after CCTV footage surfaced online showing Hon. Agbese signing a document, which some individuals have claimed was evidence that he supported the alleged leadership arrangement.

However, Hon. Agbese maintained that while the individual seen in the footage is indeed him, the document he signed had nothing to do with the elevation of any lawmaker to a leadership position in the House.

According to him, the document in question was related to the welfare of members and the agitation for the implementation and delivery of constituency projects, stressing that it was entirely different from the narrative currently being circulated online and in some sections of the media.

Agbese challenged those promoting the allegation to provide evidence showing that the document he signed was specifically intended to support Hon. Ugochinyere's emergence as Minority Leader.

"Let anyone provide video evidence that the document was meant to elevate Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere," he reportedly stated, insisting that the purpose of the document has been deliberately misrepresented.

The lawmaker had earlier raised concerns on the floor of the House over a document purportedly bearing his signature and allegedly linked to the minority leadership issue. He firmly denied the allegation and distanced himself from the interpretation being given to the document.

Proceedings in the House reportedly became tense when Hon. Ugochinyere attempted to convince lawmakers that Hon. Agbese had indeed signed the document in support of his leadership aspiration. In response, Agbese vehemently rejected the claim, insisting that the document and its purpose were entirely different from what was being alleged.

Witnesses said the atmosphere became rowdy as both sides sought to defend their positions before the Speaker intervened and directed that the matter be addressed through appropriate internal channels.

Meanwhile, videos circulating on social media have continued to generate public debate. Supporters of Hon. Agbese argue that the footage has been taken out of context and wrongly presented to create the impression that he endorsed a leadership arrangement that he insists he never supported.

They maintain that the CCTV footage merely captured a separate exercise relating to members' welfare and constituency development concerns, and not any move to alter the minority leadership structure of the House.

Observers believe the latest explanation from Hon. Agbese may help clarify the circumstances surrounding the footage and address what his supporters describe as a misleading narrative that has gained traction online.

Amuwo Odofin Reps Ticket: Olawande Camp Dismisses Azubuike Victory Claims, Insists Mandate Remains Intact

By Peter Dansu 

Fresh controversy has emerged over the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC House of Representatives ticket for Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency as the camp of Hon. George Olawande has rejected reports suggesting that another aspirant, Azubuike, has emerged as the party's candidate.

In a public statement issued on Wednesday, Hon. Seyi Ipinlaye, Director of Strategy and Political Affairs in the Office of Hon. George Olawande, urged residents and party supporters to disregard publications circulating online and in political circles claiming that Azubuike won the contest for the federal constituency seat.

Ipinlaye maintained that the primary election conducted at 206 Park and monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) remains the only valid process through which the party's candidate emerged. According to him, the exercise produced Hon. Olawande as the winner, with the results subsequently uploaded to INEC's portal.

He argued that the provisions of the Electoral Act do not permit political parties to arbitrarily substitute candidates after a valid primary election, except in cases involving the death of a candidate or voluntary withdrawal.

"The mandate given to Hon. Olawande remains lawful, valid and protected by law," Ipinlaye stated, stressing that no publication, internal party decision or unofficial announcement can override the outcome of an INEC-monitored primary election.

The statement also noted that the party's Appeal Committee is yet to conclude deliberations on petitions arising from the primary exercise. As such, it insisted that any purported list of candidates currently in circulation lacks official recognition and should not be taken as the final position of the party.

Ipinlaye further assured supporters and constituents that every legal and democratic avenue would be explored to defend what he described as the mandate freely given to Olawande by party members during the primary election.

The latest development underscores the growing tension surrounding the NDC ticket for Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency, with stakeholders awaiting the outcome of ongoing appeals and the eventual confirmation of candidates ahead of the next electoral cycle.

He concluded by expressing confidence that the mandate secured by Olawande would ultimately prevail, declaring that "victory is certain."

Court Quashes Criminal Charges Against H-Medix Pharmacy Ltd, Confirms Area Councils as Legally Empowered to Handle Matters of Sanitation and Health Inspection

By Peter Dansu 

In a landmark ruling that brings much-needed relief to businesses across the Federal Capital Territory, the FCT High Court has quashed criminal charges brought against H-Medix Pharmacy Ltd by FCTA authorities, while clearly confirming the legal authority of Area Councils to handle sanitation and health inspection matters.

Presided over by Hon. Justice Y. Halilu, the court delivered this order on May 21, 2026 in respect of the ex-parte Motion No. M/7935/2026 filed by H-Medix Pharmacy Ltd on March 13, 2026. This decisive judgment effectively puts an end to the regulatory harassment and overlapping enforcement actions that H-Medix and many other legitimate businesses in Abuja have endured. 

By granting the orders of Certiorari and Prohibition, Hon. Justice Alilu has stopped the criminal proceedings, charges and orders initiated by the FCTA Health and Human Services Department against H-Medix at the various Magistrate Courts, pending the determination of the Motion on Notice for Judicial Review. It has also prevented any further action against the Applicant based on the Public Health Service Act 1958, National Environmental Health Practice Regulations 2024, National Policy on Food Safety, and the National Guidelines for Food Handlers Medical Test 2024.

H-Medix Pharmacy Ltd, a leading healthcare provider known for its commitment to quality service in Abuja, had strongly argued that the FCTA lacked statutory competence to enforce the extant laws cited above. The company highlighted the absence of proper jurisdictional facts, the fact that policies cannot substitute for enforceable laws, the lack of a statutory fee schedule and violation of constitutional principles. 

The court’s ruling in favour of these grounds sends a strong message against arbitrary and duplicative demands that have burdened businesses with multiple taxation for the same services. This outcome aligns with the concerns raised by Global Integrity Crusade Network, which in April 2026 publicly drew attention of relevant stakeholders to the deepening institutional crisis between the FCTA and Area Councils like AMAC. The group had highlighted cases of businesses being forced to pay duplicate levies — for instance, making payments to AMAC only to face additional and higher demands from FCTA-linked private consultants. 

Such practices had led to premature prosecutions and created an environment of uncertainty for operators trying to comply in good faith. With this pro-business ruling, the FCT High Court has reinforced the role of Area Councils in managing local environmental sanitation and health inspections pursuant to Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution and the Fourth Schedule thereto.